Midland Park June 15, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 25 Changes made by an Erie Avenue resident to the outside of her property over the last couple of years drew criticism from two of her neighbors during last week’s meeting of the Midland Park Mayor and Council. Helen Schneider of 245 Erie Ave. said that her neighbor at 257 Erie Ave. had “bulldozed” her side yard fronting Hill Street and created a parking lot with a 75-ft front, a situation she said was unsightly and likely in violation of borough ordinances. Schneider said that since the property is on a corner, it has two front yards which should meet front yard setback requirements. She said her neighbor had removed grass and shrubs along Hill Street and paved the area, some of which is actually on the town’s right of way, she claimed. Since there is no curb, and no curb cuts or aprons Residents want neighbor’s green area restored to delineate a driveway, the entire 75-ft length is paved and used to park sometimes as many as eight of ten cars, she said. Her neighbor, Chris Delaney of 223 Hill Street, agreed. He said that after the greenery had been removed and the area paved in 2009, the borough had forced removal of the impervious surface. “They replaced the asphalt with stone, but they still park there. It’s a slap in the face of the town,” Delaney told the governing body. He said he feared the two-family house would be sold and the existing conditions would further deteriorate if the site becomes investment property rather than continue as an owner-occupied residence. Schneider said she estimated the impervious surface coverage of both front yards to be closer to 60 percent, rather than the 30 percent permitted by ordinance. She also said the house has two garages which are rented out. She said a barn on the property had been converted into a garage and a new garage had been build when the old one was damaged by a tree. Borough Attorney Robert Regan said that if the property is in violation of borough ordinances, the zoning officer can force compliance. Schneider also asked that curbing be installed along the neighbor’s side of the street just as it is being installed along her property. Mayor Joseph Monahan said DPW personnel would be asked to inspect the area and recommend changes, and if and where curbing should be installed. He said the zoning officer would also be asked to prepare a report as to any deficiencies he encounters and what the property owner must do to be in compliance. The Midland Park Board of Recreation expects to have a new recreation coordinator in place by mid-July, Councilman Scott Pruiksma told the Midland Park mayor and council last week. He said the 36 original applicants for the part-time position have been narrowed down to six, who will be interviewed by the board this week. The borough council will interview the finalist as well. The new part-time position, supported by clerical assistance at town hall, was created to replace former director Lori Dent. Recreation coordinator finalists interviewed this week Dent resigned her full-time position in February after 10 years on the job, which was originally part-time. The downgraded position, to encompass 20-25 hours, was recommended by the board of recreation. It will be salaried, with no benefits. Pruiksma also said that 225 children have already registered for the summer camp scheduled to begin later this month. The borough hired an interim director to run the camp and has also rehired all the teen counselors from last year’s program, Pruiksma said. The Midland Park Board of Education has revised its 2011-12 school calendar to include two staff development days. The new calendar provides that on Oct. 10 and March 12, students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. Both days are Mondays. As approved last month, the calendar provides for 185 days for students and 188 days for teachers, with two days built in for snow emergencies. Additional emergency day would be taken from the April vaca- 2011-12 school calendar revised tion. Staff will report in for its annual convocation on Thursday, Sept. 1. Classes are set to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 6. The last day of school is tentatively set for Wednesday, June 20. Graduation will be Friday, June 15. Winter recess is scheduled for Dec. 2630, with classes resuming on Monday, Jan. 2. Winter break will be Feb. 20 – 24, and Spring recess will begin on Good Friday, April 6 and continue through April13. Top volunteer Mollie Galletly of Midland Park was recently honored by Children’s Aid and Family Services for her 30 years of volunteer work at The Depot in Midland Park. She has served as co-director, secretary and treasurer of the popular craft and gift shop and is currently day chairman. Congratulating her is Bob Jones, Ph.D., the agency’s president & CEO. The Depot, located at 22 Prospect Street in Midland Park, is the largest all-volunteer women’s exchange in the country. Its proceeds benefit Children’s Aid and Family Services.